Alfold and The Lost Canal

Start: Forestry Commission car park between Alfold and Dunsfold. Distance: 4.5 miles. Time: 2 hours

1. From car park, walk back towards road for 35yds (32m) to left track, marked by short concrete post labelled 'SEEB Cables'. Turn left, then keep right at fork 300yds (274m) further on. Cross tarmac drive at public bridleway signpost and follow waymarked bridleway as it bears gently right around edge of Firtree Copse.
2. Bridleway meets canal at gate. Turn left and follow towpath for 1 mile (1.6km). Notice gentle slope after passing Arun 13/Wey 10 milestone, deep in Sydney Wood; it's the only clue that this overgrown section was once a 6-lock flight.
3. Gravelled track crosses canal at Sydney Court. Leave towpath here and turn left, following waymarked route over forest crossroads to High Bridge.
4. Zig-zag right and left across Rosemary Lane and rejoin towpath. After 0.5 mile (800m) look out for Arun 11.5/Wey 11.5 and continue for 150yds (137m) until Sussex Border Path crosses canal.
5. Turn left and follow the Sussex Border Path for 350yds (320m) until track bends sharply right. Turn left through metal field gate and follow hedge on right. A second gate least past a cottage; now, follow public bridleway signpost that points a route through three fields and through old gateway on to path leading out to Rosemary Lane.
6. Cross Lane and follow waymarked bridleway for 0.5 (800m). Turn left just beyond waymarked footpath on the right; then, few paces past prominent 'riding by permit only' sign, turn right up waymarked footpath through woods. Fork right a short way further on, then continue over two stiles and follow path just inside woodland edge until it bears left and meets car park road just beyond waymarked post. Turn left for shirt distance to car.